"Man, I knew I would lose, but not like this. I really am no match for you, huh?" Shiro said, prepared for defeat, though this outcome showed he didn't even stand a chance.
"It's just temporary. Who knows, maybe in the future, things will be completely different. So keep working hard, buddy," Kaida said, extending his hand.
Shake.
"Thanks," Shiro said with a smile, and both left the stadium.
The energy inside the stadium remained electric as the crowd settled in for the next bout. The earlier matches had been an intense display of raw power, skill, and strategy, leaving the audience hungry for more. Bets were quickly placed, with stall owners yelling the odds as they gathered more money from eager spectators.
With each successive match, the stakes seemed to rise—not just for the fighters but for the crowd too. Now, two more competitors stepped forward, ready to test their mettle in front of thousands of cheering fans and the scrutinizing eyes of the Daimyo.
"Next match: Ren of Amegakure versus Kuro of Sunagakure!" the proctor announced, his voice booming through the stadium.
"Place your bets, everyone! Kuro from Sunagakure at 1:1.2, and Ren from Amegakure at 1:1.5!" Being from a minor village, Ren was considered weak, so the odds were skewed slightly.
Ren was known for his strong Lightning Release jutsu in Amegakure. His tall frame and intense focus showed he wasn't one to be trifled with. He had a reputation for being quick, both in speed and temper, but his efficiency in battle was undeniable. That's why Suiren chose him to come with him to the finals.
Kuro, on the other hand, was a simple-looking boy in baggy clothes. His style was quieter, more defensive, which suited his specialty: using beetles for defense and wearing down his opponents. Small, quiet, deadly—that was Kuro's method. As he entered the arena, there was no show of bravado, just a steady, focused gaze that met Ren's.
The proctor raised his hand. "Begin!"
Without hesitation, Ren charged forward, lightning crackling around him as he dashed toward Kuro, his body glowing with electricity. He aimed to overwhelm Kuro quickly with his usual approach of speed and power.
But Kuro was prepared. As Ren closed the gap, Kuro summoned his Defense Beetles, brown, armored insects that swarmed around him like a living shield. Ren's lightning-infused punch met the beetles with a crackling explosion, sending some flying and killing others, but more quickly took their place, rendering the attack useless.
Ren leaped back, avoiding the swarm as it buzzed toward him. But the beetles had already come into contact with him, and before he could react, they latched onto his arm, digging into his skin. He grunted in pain and quickly summoned a bolt of lightning to fry the insects off him. The smell of burnt insects filled the air as the beetles dropped to the ground, dead.
They didn't have much attack power, focusing mostly on defense, but even their minor offensive ability played a role in distracting the enemy.
Kuro didn't waste a second, launching a wave of wind blades toward Ren, knowing full well not to give his opponent a chance. The attack power Ren possessed was too great—one successful strike could change the course of the battle. Kuro kept his defenses up, using his beetles to attack and protect.
But Ren wasn't about to let Kuro control the pace. With a quick series of hand seals, he used *Lightning Release: Lightning Clone*, sending the electrified double charging toward Kuro. The clone moved faster than the beetles, forcing Kuro to shift his attention to defending against the lightning-infused attack. The clone exploded on impact, sending a shockwave of lightning rippling through Kuro's defenses, scattering the beetles in all directions.
Now was Ren's chance.
With a roar, Ren formed another hand seal and unleashed his signature jutsu—*Lightning Release: Thunderstorm Lance*. A spear of concentrated lightning formed in his hand, crackling with lethal energy. He hurled it toward Kuro, aiming straight for the center of his defense.
Kuro's beetles swarmed to block the attack, but the sheer power of the Thunderstorm Lance was too much. The lightning spear tore through the already dispersed beetles, striking Kuro in the chest and sending him flying backward across the arena. He hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop as smoke rose from the point of impact.
The crowd held its breath, waiting to see if Kuro would rise.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, Kuro slowly pushed himself up, breathing heavily but still standing. His beetles regrouped around him, forming a protective barrier once again. He wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Ren.
"This guy's tough," Ren muttered under his breath.
'If the attack hadn't hit the beetles first, I would've lost,' Kuro thought, feeling his body still numb.
Kuro raised his hand, and the beetles surged forward once again. This time, Ren was ready. He dodged and weaved between the swarming insects, lightning crackling around him as he prepared to end the fight.
In a blur of motion, Ren appeared behind Kuro, his hand glowing with electricity.
But just as Ren was about to land the final blow, Kuro's beetles surged up from the ground beneath him, latching onto his legs and arms, holding him in place. Ren struggled as the beetles clung with their pincers digging into his flesh.
"Got you," Kuro said, his voice calm and measured.
But Ren smirked. "No, you don't."
With a burst of lightning, Ren electrified his entire body, frying the beetles that held him. Kuro's eyes widened as Ren broke free, spinning around with a devastating kick that sent him crashing to the ground.
This time, Kuro didn't get up.
"Winner: Ren!" the proctor announced, and the crowd erupted in applause. It had been an intense match till the end—no one knew who would win. If Kuro had been a little faster with his last attack, he might have won, but now nothing would change. Both of the ninjas from Sunagakure were out of the competition.
The energy in the stadium shifted once again as the next match was announced.
"Next match: Kabuto of Konohagakure versus Suiren of Amegakure!"
"Place your bets, everyone! Kabuto from Konoha at 1:1.4, and Suiren from Amegakure at 1:1.5!" Due to Amegakure's recent performance, the betting odds were no longer entirely in Konoha's favor.
The atmosphere became tense. Kabuto, a simple-looking boy with glasses, entered the stadium. But unlike his physique from before, he was now more muscular, having trained under both Jiraiya and Hiruzen. Suiren, on the other hand, was a gloomy-looking boy with dark hair and baggy clothes. His movements were precise as he entered the stadium.
The odds were close, and the crowd was eager to see which of these two tactical fighters would come out on top.
Kabuto entered the arena first, his glasses gleaming in the sunlight as he adjusted them with a calm smile. His demeanor was almost casual, but those who knew him understood that his mind was already working, analyzing every possible move his opponent could make.
The proctor raised his hand. "Begin!"
Suiren moved first, his hands forming seals. Water Release: Wild Water Wave, a C-rank jutsu, is an inferior version of Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique, an A-rank jutsu. Though not as powerful, it was excellent for creating a water source while attacking the enemy at the same time. The water surged toward Kabuto like a tidal wave, its sheer size and speed threatening to overwhelm him.
But Kabuto was already moving, flipping backward to avoid the attack. As he landed, he quickly formed his own hand seals. Earth Release: Earth Wall blocked the water's path. The wave crashed against the wall with a deafening roar, but Kabuto remained unfazed, his eyes locked on Suiren.
Suiren's next attack was more direct—he darted forward, his kunai gleaming as he aimed for Kabuto's throat. But Kabuto wasn't a fighter who relied solely on ninjutsu. With surprising speed, he sidestepped the strike and countered with a palm thrust aimed at Suiren's chest. Suiren barely dodged, the force of the strike grazing his ribs as he spun away.
The two shinobi circled each other, testing the other's defenses. Suiren unleashed a barrage of water jutsu, his hands moving with lightning speed as he summoned streams, waves, and torrents to keep Kabuto on the defensive. But Kabuto countered each attack with precise Earth Style techniques, deflecting the water or dodging when necessary.
Neither used much chakra in the first 10 minutes, only attacking to gauge the strength of their opponent. After 10 minutes, Suiren was ready. Without warning, Suiren inhaled deeply and exhaled a thick, noxious cloud of Poison Breath. The cloud spread rapidly, filling the arena with a deadly green mist, causing murmurs of concern in the crowd.
Kabuto's eyes narrowed. He knew this was Suiren's most dangerous weapon. After asking around, he had learned it was highly acidic. Not wanting to experience it firsthand, he summoned a small gust of wind with a quick hand sign, dispersing the cloud just enough to create an opening. He darted forward, closing the distance between him and Suiren before Suiren could react. With a swift movement, he placed his hand on Suiren's chest and released a burst of chakra, sending him flying backward.
Once again, Kabuto created a gust of wind to clear a path for his escape from the poison. Suiren didn't have time to stop him, and Kabuto evaded the attack.
But he wasn't done yet. Kabuto made continuous hand signs, even while running from the poison, as Suiren chased after him.
The ground in front of Suiren became muddy, which had been firm a moment ago. Before he could react, a mud wolf rose from the ground and chomped at the air right next to his head.
"I lost," Suiren said, raising his hand in surrender. The last attack could have easily killed him, but his opponent didn't want to kill. Now, he didn't want to humiliate himself by continuing the match.
"Winner: Kabuto!" the proctor announced, as the crowd erupted in applause.
Kabuto looked at Suiren, his expression calm but respectful. "You fought well," he said before turning and walking out of the arena.